Investigators recover crucial flight data as questions arise over air traffic control staffing at Reagan National Airport.
Black Boxes Retrieved from Crash Site
Authorities have recovered the black boxes from the passenger plane involved in a fatal mid-air collision over Washington’s Potomac River. The crash, which occurred late Wednesday, involved an American Airlines Bombardier jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The disaster claimed 67 lives.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder were retrieved and sent to their lab for analysis. The data could provide critical insights into what led to the devastating accident.
Possible Air Traffic Control Issues
Reports suggest that staffing shortages at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport may have played a role. According to a preliminary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, only one air traffic controller was managing both aircraft instead of the standard two.
The collision resulted in a fireball that illuminated the night sky as American Eagle Flight 5342, traveling from Wichita, Kansas, attempted to land. First responders worked through the night, braving freezing waters to recover victims. By Thursday evening, over 40 bodies had been pulled from the river.
Political Fallout and Controversy
The crash quickly became a subject of political debate. President Donald Trump used the tragedy to criticize diversity and inclusion (DEI) policies in federal agencies. During a press conference, he blamed DEI hiring measures for compromising competence in air traffic control.
Trump accused former presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama of prioritizing diversity over qualifications, citing Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s leadership as an example. His remarks sparked immediate backlash. Buttigieg responded on social media, calling Trump’s statements “despicable,” while Democratic Senator Chris Murphy condemned them as “disgusting.”
In response, Trump issued a memo ordering a review of federal hiring practices, demanding the removal of unqualified personnel appointed under Biden’s administration.
Read: Passenger Plane, Military Helicopter Collision Near Washington Airport
Victims Include Renowned Skaters
Among those killed were members of the U.S. Figure Skating team. Russian news outlets confirmed that world champion pairs skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov were also on board. Additionally, two Chinese nationals were identified among the victims, according to reports from Xinhua News Agency.
Eyewitnesses described a horrific scene. “I just saw a fireball, and it was gone,” an air traffic controller reportedly said after losing contact with the helicopter.
Ongoing Investigation
Transport officials confirmed that both the plane and helicopter were operating under standard flight patterns on a clear night with good visibility. The Army helicopter was conducting an annual night evaluation, with an experienced crew on board.
As the wreckage is recovered, the NTSB and FAA are working to determine the exact cause of the crash. However the investigation will focus on air traffic control protocols, aircraft communications, and potential mechanical failures.
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